San Gabriel Valley welcomes new director-general at ‘Taiwan Embassy’

Bruce J.D. Linghu, 59, sits at his Los Angeles desk in September 2013. He is the new director-general at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. His region includes Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. (Courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office)

LOS ANGELES >> Although the director-general for the “Taiwan Embassy” in Los Angeles got to town about a month ago, Bruce Linghu already knows the ins and outs of the City of Angels.

“I was here before,” said Linghu, 59. “Although this is (my) third time here, I still feel this is important for me because this time I am the head of the office. I feel I have a greater responsibility here.”

Linghu began his career 31 years ago as staff for offices such as the Department of Protocol and Department of North American Affairs. He moved up the ranks and served in the Los Angeles office as senior assistant from 1987 to 1993, then deputy director general from 1997 to 2001. About one-third of his time in the country’s diplomatic corps has been spent in L.A.

Linghu became director-general at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles on Sept. 22 and might hang on to the position for two to three years, he said.

Although 23 countries have given the Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic recognition, the United States acknowledges Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China. Still, Taiwan has 13 offices in the states that provide consular as well as economic, academic and cultural exchange services.

The Los Angeles branch covers Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. It is one of the busiest offices and assists the largest Chinese-American community in the United States, its website says.

Former state Assemblyman Mike Eng said “it’s almost a pivotal moment” because both Linghu and the new China consul-general of Los Angeles, Liu Jian, came to their Los Angeles offices around the same time.

Jian, who comes with 34 years of experience but has never worked in the United States until recently, started on July 12.

Since coming to office, Linghu said he has introduced himself to new people and communities and re-acquainted himself with old friends throughout the Southwest.

Linghu met Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich more than 20 years ago and calls Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, an old mate.

Chu met Linghu more than 25 years ago and said that even back then he was an “excellent representative in the Los Angeles community.”

“He is very capable, intelligent and responsive,” Chu said in a prepared statement. “I know that he will do an excellent job in representing Taiwan in our community. It is important because we have so many immigrants from Taiwan who have made the San Gabriel Valley their home.”

Linghu and Taiwan have deep ties in Los Angeles. Taipei has been a sister city with Los Angeles for 34 years, and Mayor Eric Garcetti said he is looking forward to working with Linghu to increase trade and create jobs in the area.

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Linghu said he is eager to improve cultural activities as well as promotions for tourism, academia and business.

In addition to providing a satellite cultural service center in El Monte and Irvine every other Saturday morning, Linghu said he hopes to expand the field operations to places such as San Diego. Having office hours every two to three months in areas such as San Diego would help serve the Taiwanese community better, he said.

Chester Chong, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles, called Linghu a wonderful man whose fame is recognized by most people in L.A. Chong said he would gladly work with Linghu to promote business in Los Angeles and tourism to Taiwan.

“We should work together,” Chong said. “It’s one world.”

Relationships between China and Taiwan have improved over the past two decades, Linghu said. In addition to signing 19 agreements in the last five years, the economic and cultural trade have also grown.

Mainland China is Taiwan’s No. 1 trading partner, and each week there are 670 flights to and from China. In 2012, 2.5 million Chinese national tourists visited Taiwan, Linghu said.

“But in the political, military, security and diplomatic areas, there is still not enough mutual trust because of the difficult sovereignty issues,” Linghu said. “My hope is that the two sides — (whether it be) the people or the government officials — have a mutual respect for each other.”